Adhesive over shellac

[JW_Halverson]

I got some advice from a professional furniture conservator and restorer from Turin italy. He states there is very little in this world that will bond with natural shellac due to the natural waxes. He suggested I seek out a de-waxed shellac.

I contacted the pro staff at Zinsser/MinWax. They make a chemically de-waxed shellac called Seal Coat. It binds to regular shellac easily. I blew $20 on a quart and it laid up nicely over the prior 8 coats forming a lovely gloss finish.

Ten days of making sure it was cured waiting for new feathers and adhesives from 3Rivers. First, I tried their nitrocellulose fletching glue because part of the solvent is alcohol and I thought it would help with the chemical bond.

Abject failure. Utterly ruined the Seal Coat and amber shellac. Fletching lifted right up.

Went to Fletch-Tite Platinum and again, no bonding. I even waited 15 minutes for what is listed as a 5 minute set.

Other fine woodworking experts again advised you CANNOT recoat shellac with polyurethane, but you can get the poly to bind if it is a de-waxed shellac. I know that is true because I tried it on a bow and the poly flaked off a few months later. I think that's my next attempt at saving this set of shafts.

Anyone else have advice to offer a frustrated Fletcher?

[Pat B]

John, when I use shellac or pine pitch varnish on shafts I spray satin poly over the fletching area so the fletching will adhere. I usually use  fletch tape but also wrap the forward and rear of the fletching with sinew.

[burtonridr]

Good to know about the shellac, I've also noticed lengthened drying times on shafts that are coated with water based polyurethane coating. Its a little frustrating when trying to glue the fletching's by hand. Wrapping the front and rear is becoming more and more enticing 

[JW_Halverson]

I am now using polycrylic, a water based finish similar to the oil based polyurathane. It dried quicker and when cut with water 50/50 is great for use in a dipping tube.

So far, I have had excellent luck with this finish accepting Fletch-Tite Platinum, 3Rivers nitrocellulose , and fletching tape. Big thanks to Knoll (Michael Hill) for this tip.